(Lanton) – Lanton Fire Department Chief Blake Bowers has announced that the department is the recipient of a $100,100, four-year SAFER (Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response) grant from the the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

According to Chief Bowers, the funding will help the department out in a number of ways:

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Bowers says the grant does not cover any of the normal operating costs of the fire department such as fuel, electricity, maintenance, or insurance.

Chief Bowers continued, saying that the department is currently looking for firefighters, and hopes to offer them more than just experience:

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Volunteers are being actively sought to join the department, must be 18 or older, live in a reasonable distance to one of our two fire stations, and have a desire to serve the community.

Bowers also thanked former 8th District Congresswoman Jo Ann Emerson for her assistance to emergency services in Howell County and Region G over the years.